Luken Baker
MLB Player Data
DateNewsComment
May 8 2025The Cardinals optioned Baker to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker has played sparingly as the short side of a platoon at designated hitter, slashing .235/.366/.324 over 41 plate appearances. The Cardinals have not announced a corresponding move, but it will likely involve activating Ivan Herrera (knee) from the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's game against the Nationals.
Mar 31 2025Baker will start at designated hitter and bat third in Monday's game versus the Angels. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker didn't play in any of the Cardinals' three games during their opening series against the Twins, but he's in the lineup Monday versus lefty Tyler Anderson and is occupying a prime spot in the batting order. The 28-year-old is expected to play regularly against southpaws.
Mar 13 2025Baker has shown increased bat speed this spring and has hit a team-leading three home runs in 11 Grapefruit League games, John Denton of MLB.com reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker made it a point over the offseason to increase his bat speed, and it sits at 79 mph this spring, up 5.1 mph over his 73.9 mph average from 2024. The 79 mph average would have ranked second in all of baseball last season, behind only Giancarlo Stanton (81.2 mph). Baker should open the season as a starter versus left-handed pitching, being used both at designated hitter and first base. If he can carry over the increased bat speed into the season, it's possible he works his way into some playing time against righties.
Mar 2 2025The Cardinals declined overtures from teams overseas this offseason that wanted to acquire Baker's rights, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Goold says the Cardinals see Baker as being able to contribute as a right-handed batter off the bench and decided to keep him in that role instead. Baker will turn 28 soon and has topped 30 home runs each of the last two seasons at Triple-A Memphis, so there's nothing left for him to prove in the minors. However, it would probably take an injury or two for him to see regular at-bats with the Cardinals this season.
Sep 27 2024The Cardinals reinstated Baker from the paternity list Friday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: After spending the three-game maximum away from the team, Baker will now return to the active roster, replacing Victor Scott, who was optioned to Triple-A Memphis.
Sep 24 2024The Cardinals placed Baker on the paternity list Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker will likely miss the entirety of the three-game series in Colorado before rejoining the club this weekend in San Francisco. Victor Scott is taking Baker's spot on the Cardinals' roster.
Sep 1 2024Baker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 14-7 win over the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker has just three hits over nine major-league contests, batting .167 since his Aug. 20 call-up, but all three knocks have gone for extra bases (two homers, one double). It doesn't look to be enough to secure steady playing time, but Baker offers the Cardinals some pop off the bench. He may occasionally start versus left-handers when Alec Burleson is covering for someone in the outfield or out of the lineup himself.
Aug 30 2024Baker is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Yankees. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker will take a seat Friday against Marcus Stroman and the Yankees. In Baker's place, Alec Burleson will DH and bat second.
Aug 29 2024Baker went 0-for-2 with two walks, one RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Padres. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker is hitting just .133 over eight contests since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis, but he has drawn six walks in that span. That gives him a .364 on-base percentage. Baker has added a home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a double across 22 plate appearances. He's taken over for Matt Carpenter as the Cardinals' preferred designated hitter versus right-handed pitchers, and as a right-handed batter, Baker has a good chance of sticking in the lineup versus southpaws as well.
Aug 21 2024Baker hit a two-run home run in his lone at-bat in Wednesday's 10-6 extra-inning win over the Brewers. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker provided a game-tying blast in the seventh inning to knot the score at 4-4. This was his first major-league at-bat of the season. The slugger slashed .209/.313/.314 with two homers and 10 RBI over 33 games in the majors last season, and he was slashing .231/.345/.535 with 32 homers and 79 RBI across 108 contests with Triple-A Memphis prior to his call-up Tuesday. Baker figures to be a short-side platoon option at designated hitter as well as a top bench bat whenever a southpaw reliever enters for an opponent. He may not get many starts, however, as starting catcher Willson Contreras is typically the DH when the Cardinals face lefty starters.
Aug 20 2024The Cardinals recalled Baker from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. ROTOWIRE RECOMMENDS: Baker has slashed .231/.345/.535 with 32 home runs in 108 games this season at Memphis, which includes a 1.096 OPS versus left-handed pitching. The 27-year-old is blocked by Paul Goldschmidt at first base but figures to see some looks at designated hitter against southpaws.